Native Education Forum

2021 Virtual Native Education Forum:
June 21-26, 2021

The Native Education Forum is a six-day summer program for rising high school seniors. Students will gain university classroom experience, research issues critical to Native American/Indigenous communities, and get valuable assistance from professionals in the university application process.

During the program, students will have the chance to interact with university faculty, staff, and current students as they discuss and evaluate important issues that affect Indigenous communities.

When to apply?

The Native Education Forum application is now open. Apply by May 28, 2021 for full consideration.

Who should apply?

Students finishing their junior year in high school (class of 2022) with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher or graduating seniors who have been admitted to and plan to enroll at CSU (Fall 2021 entry term) with an interest in Native American and Indigenous issues. Strong applicants demonstrate involvement and leadership roles within school, family, or community activities.

What to expect

The 2021 Native Education Forum will be held in a virtual setting (via Zoom meeting platform) over six days. Applicants who enroll in the program are expected to actively participate to their comfort level during each session, each day (up to six hours/day). Students who participate fully are eligible to earn one college credit and receive a Partnership Award Scholarship upon admission to Colorado State University. See full requirements below.

Application

The Native Education Forum 2021 application is now open! 

APPLY

Program Expectations

Because the 2021 Native Education Forum will be held completely in a virtual setting, we have developed new participation expectations. In order to be eligible for the Partnership Award scholarship, NEF students must:

  • Attend each virtual session and actively participate to your comfort level (up to six hours/day, all six days)
  • Sample daily schedule (all times Mountain)
    • 9:00-10:30 a.m. – Lecture and/or presentation
      • (Relevant to your group presentation topic)
    • 1:00-2:30 p.m. – Group discussions and activities
    • 6:00-8:00 p.m.– Presentation Preparation with your assigned group

We understand that technology and distance participation can be challenging. If special accommodations are needed before or during the program, please contact program director Danita Ordaz.

Benefits of NEF

  • Explore Native American/Indigenous issues
  • Develop leadership skills
  • Work with CSU faculty, staff and students
  • Strengthen your college/university application
  • Improve your academic research skills
  • Earn one college credit
  • Partnership Award Scholarship: Students who participate in all required sessions during the Native Education Forum, and are admitted as freshmen to Colorado State University with a high school cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher, and meet specific course requirements are eligible to receive the Partnership Award Scholarship. Funds for this award are disbursed over four years of continuous enrollment at Colorado State University. See Program Expectations for eligibility requirements.

Cost and Details

There is no cost to attend this program, which will be held virtually in 2021. If you require special accommodations to access virtual platforms (Zoom, etc.), please let us know during your application process.

Questions?

Questions about the program and the application process can be emailed to Adm_summerprograms@colostate.edu.